Photos: Extreme displays of faith in the Philippines

TED ALJIBE, AFP/Getty Images03.28.2013

A penitent with his face covered with a portrait of Jesus carries a cross as he participates in symbolic ceremonies which commemorate Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection on Holy Thursday in Angeles City, Pampanga province north of Manila on March 28, 2013. Crucifixions and self-flagellations are among the grisliest, but by no means the only extreme acts of penitence on show in the Philippines, one of Asia’s largest Catholic outpost with about 75 million followers.

TED ALJIBE
/ AFP/Getty Images

A penitent self-flagellates as he participate in symbolic ceremonies which commemorate Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection on Holy Thursday in Angeles City, Pampanga province north of Manila on March 28, 2013. Crucifixions and self-flagellations are among the grisliest, but by no means the only extreme acts of penitence on show in the Philippines, one of Asia’s largest Catholic outpost with about 75 million followers.TED ALJIBE
/ AFP/Getty Images

A woman (R) using a belt, whips penitents as they participate in symbolic ceremonies which commemorate Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection on Holy Thursday in Angeles City, Pampanga province north of Manila on March 28, 2013. Crucifixions and self-flagellations are among the grisliest, but by no means the only extreme acts of penitence on show in the Philippines, one of Asia’s largest Catholic outpost with about 75 million followers.TED ALJIBE
/ AFP/Getty Images

Penitents flagellate themselves as they participate in symbolic ceremonies which commemorate Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection on Holy Thursday in Angeles City, Pampanga province north of Manila on March 28, 2013. Crucifixions and self-flagellations are among the grisliest, but by no means the only extreme acts of penitence on show in the Philippines, one of Asia’s largest Catholic outpost with about 75 million followers.TED ALJIBE
/ AFP/Getty Images

TOPSHOTS A girl (L) watches penitents carrying wooden crosses taking a rest along a road as they participate in symbolic ceremonies which commemorate Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection on Holy Thursday in Angeles City, Pampanga province north of Manila on March 28, 2013. Crucifixions and self-flagellations are among the grisliest, but by no means the only extreme acts of penitence on show in the Philippines, Asia’s largest Catholic outpost with about 75 million followers.TED ALJIBE
/ AFP/Getty Images

A man portraying Jesus Christ is whipped by a fellow actor during a reenactment of Christ’ suffering and death as part of Maundy Thursday rituals to atone for sins, in suburban Mandaluyong, east of Manila, Philippines, on Thursday, March 28, 2013. The ritual is frowned upon by church leaders in this predominantly Roman Catholic country.Aaron Favila
/ AP

A man portraying Jesus Christ grimaces as he carries a cross during a reenactment of Christ’s suffering and death as part of Maundy Thursday rituals to atone for sins on March 28, 2013 in suburban Mandaluyong, east of Manila, Philippines. The ritual is frowned upon by church leaders in this predominantly Roman Catholic country.Aaron Favila
/ AP

Penitents flagellate themselves as they participate in symbolic ceremonies which commemorate Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection on Holy Thursday in Angeles City, Pampanga province north of Manila on March 28, 2013. Crucifixions and self-flagellations are among the grisliest, but by no means the only extreme acts of penitence on show in the Philippines, one of Asia’s largest Catholic outpost with about 75 million followers.TED ALJIBE
/ AFP/Getty Images

A penitent carries a cross while other flagellate themselves as they participate in symbolic ceremonies which commemorate Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection on Holy Thursday in Angeles City, Pampanga province north of Manila on March 28, 2013. Crucifixions and self-flagellations are among the grisliest, but by no means the only extreme acts of penitence on show in the Philippines, one of Asia’s largest Catholic outpost with about 75 million followers.TED ALJIBE
/ AFP/Getty Images

Penitents flagellate themselves as they participate in symbolic ceremonies which commemorate Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection on Holy Thursday in Angeles City, Pampanga province north of Manila on March 28, 2013. Crucifixions and self-flagellations are among the grisliest, but by no means the only extreme acts of penitence on show in the Philippines, one of Asia’s largest Catholic outpost with about 75 million followers.TED ALJIBE
/ AFP/Getty Images

A penitent carries a cross as he participates in symbolic ceremonies which commemorate Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection on Holy Thursday in Angeles City, Pampanga province north of Manila on March 28, 2013. Crucifixions and self-flagellations are among the grisliest, but by no means the only extreme acts of penitence on show in the Philippines, one of Asia’s largest Catholic outpost with about 75 million followers.TED ALJIBE
/ AFP/Getty Images

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